NEVER Assume Your Shot Will End The Point!

Jun 29, 2023

Hey!

Before we keep going, welcome back to another edition of the blog. If you’re new to the blog and want to go back and check out past editions, go here!

Today’s edition has two parts: 

1. A Helpful Tip (Video) – Do you make these 5 mistakes?

2. For the Pickleball Nerds – Assume THIS During Every Point!

A Helpful Tip (Video):

It’s interesting. The more “beginner” videos I make, the more I realize how much “beginner mistakes” are “pro mistakes” as well. 

For example, one beginner tip I've shared is “Serve and Stay.” 

Don’t serve and step in, because if they hit a deep return, you’re screwed. But time after time, I’m still giving myself that reminder because I find myself creeping in. 

So as I made this new youtube video, “5 mistakes beginners make (part 2),” I realized... Every one of these applies to the pro game as well. 

But it's easy to forget the fundamental principles that got us to where we are!

Hope you enjoy this video — especially mistake #2. We all need to fix this one. :)

For the Pickleball Nerds:

BE READY FOR THE NEXT BALL.

Not sure who needs to hear this right now, but I know I definitely do, daily!

When you go from playing the soft game to speeding the ball up at your opponents, you can’t assume the point will end after you take your shot.

Your assumption, 100% of the time, must be, the ball’s coming back.

We’ve all been there. We hit a speed-up, then relax and are slow to the next ball. Not a good formula for winning points.

If you change your mindset from, “I’m ending the point on this shot,” to, “This ball is coming back, no matter what I do” — you’ll win a lot more points.

The moment you shift and make this assumption, things will change for you!

HOW TO WORK ON IT:

Play down the line dinking games with a friend. 

See an example here at 10:28 (I made a video to show you this drill, but it's still in editing. So for now, just focus on what happens at 10:28. Start up at the kitchen when you do this. Not back like I did in this video. Just wanted to give you a reference point). 

Play on the same side. Dink back and forth. Play to 7 (or whatever you want). Anyone can speed-up any ball they want, whenever they want.

When you go into the game, remember the focus. "Every ball is coming back." 

If you don't have a partner to drill with, go on a wall for 5 minutes a day for the next 7 days. Speed the ball up and expect the next ball back.

If you do this, things will change for you in a good way!

Kyle

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